THE 10th anniversary edition of the AIB Irish Seniors Open, in association with Greenstar and Fáilte Ireland, will be marked in grand style with a record prize fund, a glorious new venue and a five-star field littered with former Ryder Cup players.

CHRISTY O’CONNOR JNR is still determined to captain Europe to Ryder Cup glory at the K Club in 2006. But the hero of the Belfry in 1985 expressed amazement yesterday at US claims that they will be the underdogs when the matches come to Ireland.